Please help with hair dye info (lots of gray hair)

[Anonymous]

I got my first gray hair in middle school and I never thought I would dye but now in my late 30s I am not enjoying how much the increasing gray is aging me. I am super low maintenance and have never dyed my hair and often just cut it at home.

I am assuming it would be better to go to a salon vs do it myself? I am confused reading up on it - I don't know anything. For example I looked at one salon and see this:

SINGLE PROCESS $125 – $150
EXPRESS COLOR $60 – $85
FULL HIGHLIGHT $195 -$300
PARTIAL HIGHLIGHT $150 -$240
SHADOW ROOT/ROOT SMUDGE $45 – $70
BALAYAGE $225 – $340
GLAZE/TONER $40-$65
DOUBLE PROCESS $175 – $225

What am I looking for? I have very dark hair fyi.

[Anonymous]

I'm similarly low maintenance and around your age and use Clairol Beautiful Collection Semi-Permanent Color from Walmart. I wouldn't dream of spending that much money. I started getting greys in college, and, like you, did not care until I was late 30s and people started saying stuff to me about it and I decided I had to.

[Anonymous]

I agree a semi or demi permanent is the way to go.

[Anonymous]

I am italian/very dark hair. Probably 70 percent gray now. I go and get a single process color every 3-4 weeks. And I've done it for 20 years (except during covid and it looked awful).

I found a salon that is relatively cheap ($95 per process) plus blow dry ($55) and I like the dye they use (Vitality from Italy). My former salon was almost double that and they used INOA that made my scalp itchy.

Dying your hair sucks. It's a lot of upkeep with dark hair. It's a commitment - time wise and financially.

[Anonymous]

I don’t know what all of those mean, but the first time will cost more and then after that it’s generally touching up roots. I’m guessing the touch ups are “express color”

You can definitely go in for a consultation first and ask about pricing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am italian/very dark hair. Probably 70 percent gray now. I go and get a single process color every 3-4 weeks. And I've done it for 20 years (except during covid and it looked awful).

I found a salon that is relatively cheap ($95 per process) plus blow dry ($55) and I like the dye they use (Vitality from Italy). My former salon was almost double that and they used INOA that made my scalp itchy.

Dying your hair sucks. It's a lot of upkeep with dark hair. It's a commitment - time wise and financially.

And single process is one color all over your roots and they let it sit for 30 minutes or so. The first time they do all of your hair to match it through. If you want to get high/low lights then you can add that but it gets really $$$$$ and takes longer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm similarly low maintenance and around your age and use Clairol Beautiful Collection Semi-Permanent Color from Walmart. I wouldn't dream of spending that much money. I started getting greys in college, and, like you, did not care until I was late 30s and people started saying stuff to me about it and I decided I had to.

People can tell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm similarly low maintenance and around your age and use Clairol Beautiful Collection Semi-Permanent Color from Walmart. I wouldn't dream of spending that much money. I started getting greys in college, and, like you, did not care until I was late 30s and people started saying stuff to me about it and I decided I had to.

People can tell.

Don't care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm similarly low maintenance and around your age and use Clairol Beautiful Collection Semi-Permanent Color from Walmart. I wouldn't dream of spending that much money. I started getting greys in college, and, like you, did not care until I was late 30s and people started saying stuff to me about it and I decided I had to.

People can tell.

So what?

[Anonymous]

I’ve been greying since my early 20s and coloring most of the time since then too.

At times I paid for salon color but I really think it is entirely unnecessary, I got as many if not more compliments when I was coloring with demi/semi permanent for $10 from the CVS - I typically have used Clairol but I’m sure they’re all fine.

The bonus of using a semi/demi applied at home is that the grey won’t absorb the same depth of color so you’ll end up with free ‘highlights’

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm similarly low maintenance and around your age and use Clairol Beautiful Collection Semi-Permanent Color from Walmart. I wouldn't dream of spending that much money. I started getting greys in college, and, like you, did not care until I was late 30s and people started saying stuff to me about it and I decided I had to.

People can tell.

So what?

Well, you don't want that. If you look like you used a drug store bottle dye you look like you are wearing a helmet. It's ugly. You don't want to dye your own hair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been greying since my early 20s and coloring most of the time since then too.

At times I paid for salon color but I really think it is entirely unnecessary, I got as many if not more compliments when I was coloring with demi/semi permanent for $10 from the CVS - I typically have used Clairol but I’m sure they’re all fine.

The bonus of using a semi/demi applied at home is that the grey won’t absorb the same depth of color so you’ll end up with free ‘highlights’

+1 to this. Started using Clairol during COVID and got a lot of compliments upon RTO, lol. And yes, to the little highlights with my dark hair!

[Anonymous]

Do grey blending. Do not, I repeat, do not, get a single process color. You will regret how horrible the roots look.

[Anonymous]

My grays are coming in fast. I don't have the time to go to the salon every 3-4 weeks so I do Madison Reed. I went to them in person for the first visit (you can usually find a coupon online) and they will color match you. Going forward I buy it online. Ulta and sometimes Target can have on sale for as low as 15 and I then split it into 2 portions. That way if I miss anything the first time, in 3 weeks I will get caught up. They also have a 2 application 10 minute version but I didn't like it as much and there wasn't as many color choices.

[Anonymous]

I like Loreal Excellence from a box, but Madison Reed is a good idea if you're nervous.

As for the salon folks, do what you like but everybody can tell you got your hair dyed, even though you went to a salon: nobody thinks you naturally have those highlights or balayage. It's fine. People knowing you care about your appearance is fine.